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Critical Stages: A Day in the Death of Joe Egg Tour
A partnership between Accessible Arts and Critical Stages commenced in June 2010 to support the regional tour of A Day in The Death of Joe Egg by Peter Nichols. The tour is co-produced by Critical Stages and White Box Theatre.
The partnership encompasses educating presenting venues about engagement of audiences inclusive of people with disability through improving access, marketing to the disability sector and disability awareness.
About the play
A Day in the Death of Joe Egg by Peter Nichols, is part vaudeville, part tragedy and part comedy... but always courageous and heartfelt. It is an ingeniously theatrical portrait of a young couple trying to sustain connection in the face of ordinary emotional adversity, who also happen to have a daughter with a disability. The play is universal in its appeal and offers an entertaining and thought provoking representation of disability as an added dynamic.
This is one of those occasions when the audience can feel the ground moving beneath their feet.
Irving Wardle quoted by Peter Nichols 2005
Ensemble cast includes: Genevieve Mooy (Frontline, The Dish, Brides of Christ), Jonathan Gavin (2 Pianos 4 Hands), Julia Davis(Bell Shakespeare, Wilde Tales), Drew Fairley (Bangers and Mash), Katrina Retallick and Sophie Webb.
Director Kim Hardwick, designer Alexandra Sommer, lighting designer Martin Kinnane, composer Phillip Scott and sound designer Michael Huxley.
The play was first staged in 1967 in Glasgow, Scotland UK before transferring to London's West End theatres in 1968. It was produced during the time when the Lord Chamberlain was still in power and he could decide what could and couldn't be put on stage.
I went as far as I thought audience tolerance would take at the time. And it was, for its time, outspoken, and it dealt with things that normally weren't dealt with, which is why it did create a bit of a fuss.
Peter Nichols 2005
Read an interview with Peter Nichols from the Theatre Archive Project, British Library.
A Performing Arts Venues Access Pack is available to assist venues improve access and engage audiences that are inclusive of people with disability.
The NSW regional tour of A Day in the Death of Joe Egg commences 23 July 2010.
